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Beautiful Shaba National Reserve is a real wilderness experience. This scenically stunning reserve shares the same ecosystem as the better-known Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves, although you’re far less likely to see wildlife here in Shaba. Most Shaba-based lodges conduct their game drives in Buffalo Springs. Shaba is ideal for those looking to remain a step removed from busy safari circuits.
Best Time to Visit
Shaba National Reserve has a generally arid climate and can be visited year-round. The dry months from June to September and January to February, however, are the best times to see wildlife. After periods of heavy rain (April to May and November to December, although the rains don’t always arrive) animals tend to disperse across the reserve and might be harder to spot.
June to September –Dry Season
October to May –Wet Season
Scenery
Much of Shaba’s charm lies in the splendor of its topography, which includes deep gorges and waterfalls on the scenic Ewaso Nyiro River. Open grasslands dotted with springs and swamps give way to rocky hills and dusty plains strewn with lava boulders. Massive Shaba Hill towers over this appealing landscape.
Activities
Wildlife and bird watching on guided game drives is the only real activity in Shaba. Most game drives combine time in Shaba with longer periods in the neighboring, more wildlife-rich Buffalo Springs and Samburu. Remember, however, that only Buffalo Springs can be visited on the same ticket. Going to Samburu will cost extra in reserve fees.
From: $319 to $2000 pp/da
From: June to September and January to February
From: December to March and July to October (Busy)
From: 239km² / 92mi²
Shaba National Reserve lacks the wildlife densities of its neighboring reserves, Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves, but all the same species are present. Of the Big Five, only rhino is absent. Most likely to be seen on a game drive are impala, Thomson's gazelle, Grant's gazelle and Beisa oryx. Watch also for Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe. There are some enormous Nile crocodiles in the river.
Wildlife Highlights
Shaba is home to several dry-country-adapted mammals that occur in only a handful of Kenyan parks. Beisa oryx is particularly well adapted to arid conditions. The reticulated giraffe can be seen loping around the reserve. The long-necked gerenuk stands on its hind legs to reach the higher branches of acacia bushes. The common plains zebra and the bigger Grevy's zebra can be found together.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
Shaba is generally dry, which means it can be visited year-round. However, the Dry season (June to September), when the vegetation thins and animals stay close to the few remaining water sources, is recommended for the best wildlife viewing. The dry spell between the rains, from January to February, is also a great time for wildlife viewing although it can be very hot. It mostly rains during April and November.
Shaba National Reserve has a hot and dry weather pattern. The average temperatures are 30°C/86°F in the daytime and 18°C/64°F at night. Shaba has a low annual rainfall, which usually occurs as short, heavy showers. The long rains generally occur between mid-March and mid-May, while the short rains fall between mid-October and mid-December. The peak months for rainfall are April and November.
Dry Season –June to September
It is very dry with almost no rain and hot, sunny days.
Wet Season –October to May
There are two wet periods: the short rains and the long rains. Separating the rains is a brief dry spell during January and February.
Your entry point to Kenya will most likely be Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), 15km/9mi southeast of the capital city Nairobi.
Shaba National Reserve is 355km/220mi north of Nairobi and the drive takes 6 to 8 hours*. The reserve is much closer to other northern parks, which are worth combining with a visit here, including the conservancies of Laikipia and Meru National Park.
*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.
Airlines & Ticket Prices
Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), and what tickets would cost.
Domestic Flights
Charter flights between parks are usually booked by tour operators as part of the tour package.
Domestic flights from Nairobi leave from Wilson Airport (WIL), 6km/4mi south of Nairobi. Scheduled flights to/from Samburu National Reserve (a short drive from Shaba) can be booked with the following domestic carriers:
Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements
Please check our Getting There – Kenya page to learn more about passports, visas, COVID-19, and other entry requirements.
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